Release and reset mechanism for clothes wringers



Nov. 9, 1954 E. v. DE CARLI RELEASE AND RESET MECHANISM FOR CLOTHES WRINGERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1952 Inventor" Eafl V. DeCa-hli His Atty Nov. 9, 1954 v DE CARL] 2,693,690

RELEASE AND RESET MECHANISM FOR CLOTHES WRINGERS Filed Jan. 5, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 3/ 37 Inventor* .3 Earl V. De Car-Ii Hi5 Attorney.

2,693,690 Patented Nov. 9, 1954 Free RELEASE AND RESET MECHANISM FOR CLOTHES WRINGERS Earl V. De Carli, Pittsburgh, Pa., assiguor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application January 5, 1952, Serial No. 265,121

Claims. (Cl. 68-263) This invention relates to power driven clothes wringers for domestic washing machines, and it has for its object the provision of improved roller pressure .release and restoring mechanism for causing the rolls to spring apart under emergency conditions and for enabling the operator to restore them into operating position with a minimum of physical effort. I

Power wringers are equippedv with means for causing the rolls to spring apart under emergency conditions. Typical practice is to mount the rolls on bearing blocks slidably disposed within channel-like side frames or stiles. The operating pressure is provided by a spring confined within a top frame member and supported at its ends by the upper roll bearing blocks. This top frame member has one end pivotally attached to a side structure of the wringer and at its other end is held to the opposite side framework in spring compressing position by a latched linkage system operatively associated with a release member which, when struck, disengages the latch whereupon the reaction of the spring causes the top frame member to fly upwardly and thus free the top roll.

My invention relates to improvements in wringer constructions of this character and especially in one wherein the linkage system and reset mechanism are such that no parts can fiy outwardly from the wringer during its operation, and in which a reset lever is structurally in dependent of the reset mechanism in that it cannot prevent the normal operation of the emergency release; and my invention provides in such a wringer an emergency roll pressure release and resetting mechanism which is simple in construction and assembly, is reliable, and is easy to operate.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevation of a power wringer embodying this invention, certain parts being broken away so as to illustrate certain details of construction; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the wringer with certain parts in different operative positions than they occupy in Fig. 1 and which figure is drawn to a larger.

scale than is Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating certain parts in still other operating positions: and Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the power wringer of Figs. 1 to 3 with parts shown in section so as to illustrate certain details of the construction.

Referring to the drawings, this invention has been shown in one form as applied to a power driven wringer having a frame provided with side channel-like stiles 1 and '2 suitably secured by a bottom frame member 3 afiixed to a main frame structure 4. Lower and upper pressure rolls 5 and 6 are suitably journaled in bearing blocks provided for them within the channel-like stiles. The lower roll 5 is arranged to be power driven by anysuitable reversing gearing (not shown) within the main frame 4. For example, such a drive is disclosed in United States Patent 2,639,602 to S. I. Gabrielson, granted May 26, 1953, and assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of this application. The upper roll bearing blocks 7 and 8 are slidable vertically within their respective stiles 1 and 2 and pressure is exerted on the upper roll 6 to urge it resiliently into engagement with the lower roll 5 by means of a leaf spring 9 supported within a top frame member 10 which is pivotally attached at its left-hand end, as viewed in the drawings, to the main frame structure 4 by means of a pivot 11.

The spring 9 is adjustably held within the frame member 10 by any suitable means such as an adjustment screw 12 passing through a threaded block 13 fixed to the under side of the frame member 10 and having a headed end 14 engaged by fingers of a saddle 15 cmi bracing the spring 9, said headed end bearing directly against the spring. The ends 16 of the spring are flattened to rest firmly on the upper surfaces of the bearing blocks and when the frame member 10 is locked in its home or working position, as presently explained, and

. as shown in Fig. l, the spring 9 exerts downward force on the ends of the bearing blocks according to the adjustment of the screw 12. The frame member 10 provides a pressure base for the spring, and it will be obvious that to free the upper roll in the sense of removing the pressure thereon, it is necessary to release the frame member 10 which responds to the reaction force of the spring 9. The present invention is concerned with improved means for effecting such release in an emergency and to restore the structure to operating position when desired.

In accordance with this invention, in one embodiment thereof, the frame member 10 is connected to the stile 2 by a linkage system which comprises a pair of identical curved or arcuate-shaped links 17 at opposite sides of the frame, as shown in Fig. 4, and which are connected together to move in a rigid system by means of a cross.

bar 18. The two links are pivotally connectedat one end to the right-hand end portion of the frame member 10 by means of a pivot pin 19; and, as shown, they ex- -tend from the pivot pin toward the pivoted end of the frame 10, and are positioned with their concave sides uppermost. The links are provided with elongated slots 20 extending substantially throughout their length, and which receive and slide upon roller fulcrums 21 at the 7 sides and which roller fulcrums, in turn, are mounted to nected together to move in a rigid system by means of a transverse arm 23a, and they rotate on a common axis on shafts 23b journaled in the side walls of the top frame member 10. The levers 23 are arranged to engage with rollers 23c provided on the free ends of the links 17 so that when the levers 23 are moved in a clockwise direction from their position of Fig. 3 they will slide the levers 17 on the fulcrums 21 and at the same time angularly move them about these fulcrums in a clockwise direction so as to pivot the frame 10 'downwardly into its operating position of Fig. 1 against the force of the'spring 9. As the levers 23 move the links 17 in this fashion, the ends of the levers 23 eventually move out from engagement with the abutments 230; after they do so, the links 17 are locked or latched by latches 24 which engage pins 25 provided for them on the links. The two latches 24 also are connected together to move in a rigid system by means of a transverse arm 26. The latches are pivotally mounted to the side walls of the top frame member 10 by means of pivots 27, and are biased to move counterclockwise to their latching position by means of coiled springs 28 which have one end anchored to the frame, as shown, and the other end engaging the latch to bias it counterclockwise.

The movement of the latches 24 in the counterclock- V wise direction by the springs 28 is limited by conicalshaped stops 29 which are mounted upon pins 30, in turn mounted in the side Walls of the top frame member, as shown. Each stop 29 is arranged to be depressed inwardly by means of a knob 31 in order to move the latches 24 clockwise to release the pins 25 and thereby the upper frame member 10 in an emergency. Thus, the upper wringer roll may be released merely by depressing either of the operating knobs 31. These knobs, as shown, are mounted upon pins 32 extending through the side walls of the top frame 10; each knob is biased to its outer inoperative position of Fig. 4 by compression springs 33 and 34, the first mounted on the pin 30, and the second on a pin 35 which is attached to the knob and which extends into the frame member through one of its side walls, as shown, the inner end of pin '35 being provided with .a head 36 which, conjointly with the associated stop 29, limits the outward movement of the knob from the frame member; the two pins 30 and 35 also prevent rotary motion of the knob 31 on its pin 32.

Connected to the outer ends of the shafts 23b upon which the levers 23 are mounted are relatively long operating levers 37.

In the operation of the wringer mechanism, let it be assumed that the upper frame member 10 is in its normal operative position shown in Fig. 1 wherein the rolls 5 and 6 are held in pressure relation by the spring 9. In this position the operating levers 37 will occupy the position shown in Fig. l, and the levers 23 will be in an upright position, as there shown. Pin stops 38 are provided for holding these leversin this position. If it be desired to release the top frame member 10, it is merely necessary to depress either one of the knobs 31 as previously described, which operation will move the latches 24 clockwise to release the pins 25 and thus the upper frame member which will be swung upwardly to its release position by means of spring Now, if it be desired to return the frame 10 to its operative position, either handle 37 will be moved counterclockwise from its position of Fig. 1 to its dotted line position of Fig. 2. This operation causes the levers 23 to move counterclockwise and hit against the rollers 23c, and rotate the links 17 downwardly on their fulcrums 21 to their dotted line position of Fig. 2. In moving to such position, the levers 23 pass over the rollers 23c, and allow the links to move upwardly somewhat under the influence of the weight of the top frame and assume the solid line position of Figs. 2 and 3. The lever 37 is then moved clockwise so as to cause the levers 23 by coacting with abutments 230 to force the links 17 to pivot on their fulcrums in a generally clockwise direction, the links at the same time sliding on the fulcrums, as previously described all so as to close the upper frame 10; the lever 37 being moved continuously until the levers 23 release the rollers 23c to permit the links 17 to be latched by the latches 24. The lever 37 is then moved in a clockwise direction to its full line position of Figs. 1 and 2, which is determined by the stops 38 engaging the levers 23. V

It will be observed that the motion of the relatively long lever arm 37 is translated to each link 17 through a relatively short lever 23 so that very little effort is required to operate the frame 10 to its closed or operative position. Also it will be noted that as the link 17 is operated generally clockwise and slid along on its fulcrum 21, that its leverage increases on the left side of the fulcrum and decreases on the right side thereof, thereby increasing the mechanical advantage as the frame is closing and the spring 9 being compressed.

It will also be noted that no element of the mechanism can fly outwardly from the machine in its operation, and that the levers 37 and 23 in their positions of Figs. 1 and 2 are out of the paths of operation of the emergency release elements. Thus, when the operating handle 37 is in its inoperative position of Figs. 1 and 2, it is independent of the release mechanism which, when operated, effects the release of the upper frame member 10 without in any way causing any motion of the operating lever.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a clothes wringer having a main frame including end stiles, means for journaling pressure rolls in said stiles, a top frame member pivotally mounted on said main frame and located above and extending across said rolls and a spring confined between said top frame member and said journaling means to exert pressure on said rolls, the improvement in mechanisms for emergency release of roll pressure and for restoring the same, which secured to said top frame member and having edges defining a slot extending lengthwise of said link, a fulcrum for said link located within said slot and fixed to said main frame, a reset lever system temporarily engageable with said link to rotate it about and to. slide it along said fulcrum thereby to pivot said frame member to its operative position to place said spring under tension whereupon said reset lever system disengages said link, and a manually releasable latch engageable with said link to lock said link and said top frame member against the bias of said spring.

2. In a clothes wringer having a main frame including end stiles, means for journaling pressure rolls on said stiles, a top frame member having its rear end pivotally mounted on said frame and located above and extending across said rolls and a spring confined between said top frame member and said journaling means to exert operating pressure on said rolls, the improvement in mechanisms for emergency release of roll pressure and for restoring the same, which comprises an elongated link having one end pivoted to the forward end of said top frame member and extending generally toward the rear end thereof, said link having edges defining an elongated slot extending lengthwise of the link, a fixed'fulcrum for said link received in said slot and mounted on said frame between the pivotal connection between said link and top frame member and the other end of said frame member, a manually releasable latch biased to engage the free end of said link to hold said top frame member in its operating position against the reaction of said spring, and a reset lever pivoted to said top frame member and engageable with an abutment provided on said free end to pivot said link on said fulcrum and to slide it bodily thereon so that its pivoted end approaches said fulcrum thereby to operate said top frame member to its operating position to place said spring under tension and to move it into position for engagement with said latch, whereupon said lever moves out of engagement with said abutment.

3. In a clothes wringer having a main frame including end stiles, means for journaling pressure rolls on said stiles, a top frame member having its rear end pivotally mounted on said frame and located above and extending across said rolls and a spring confined between said top frame member and said journaling means to exert operating pressure on said rolls, the improvement in mechanisms for emergency release of roll pressure and for restoring the same, which comprises an elongated link hav- 1 ing one end pivoted to the forward end of said top frame member and extending generally toward the rear end thereof, said link being curved throughout its length 'with its concave side facing upwardly and said link having edges defining an elongated curved slot extending lengthwise of the link, a fixed fulcrum for said link received in said slot and mounted on said frame between the pivotal connection between said link and top frame member and the other end of said frame member, a manually releasable latch biased to engage the free end of said link to hold said top frame member in operative position against the reaction of said spring, a reset lever pivoted to said top frame member and engageable with an abutment on said free end of said link to pivot said link on said fulcrum and to slide it bodily thereon so that its end pivoted to said frame member is forced to approach said fulcrum thereby to operate said frame member to its operating position to place said spring under tension and to move it into position for engagement with said latch whereupon said lever moves out of engagement with said abutment, and a relatively elongated operating handle connected to said lever to operate it.

4. In a clothes wringer having a main frame including end stiles, means for journalling pressure rolls in said end stiles, a top frame member pivotally mounted at one end thereof of said main frame and located above and extending across said rolls, a spring confined between said top frame member and said journalling means to exert pressure on said rolls, the improvement in mechanisms for emergency release of roll pressure and for restoring the same, which comprises an elongated link having one end pivotally secured to said top frame member and its opposite end free for movement along an arcuate path from a lower position to an upper position, a fulcrum fixed to said main frame and positioned to bear downwardly and slidable on said link as the free end thereof is moved upwardly, a reset lever system engageable with the free end of said link to enforce the upward movement thereof whereby said top frame member is moved downwardly into operative position applying pressure to said rolls through said spring, and a manually releasable latch engageable with the free end of said link to retain it in the upper position when said reset lever system is disengaged from said link.

5. In a clothes wringer, a main frame including end stiles, a pair of pressure rolls with means driving at least one of said rolls, journalling means for one of said pressure rolls slidable within said end stiles, a top frame member extending transversely over said end stiles and having one end pivotally mounted to said main frame, resilient means confined between said top frame member and said journalling means to exert pressure on said rolls, 1

that improvement in means for emergency release of roll pressure and for restoring the same comprismg, a link pivotally secured to said top frame member adjacent the end thereof opposite its pivotal mounting to said main frame, said link having a free end movable between a released position and a latched position, a fulcrum fixed to said main frame providing a bearing for said link intermediate its free end and pivotal point, a manually releasable latch engageable with the free end of said link when in said latched position, and a combined lever and cam means for moving said link from said released position to said latched position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,147,069 Voss Feb. 14, 1939 2,332,129 Blough Oct. 19, 1943 

